Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

BENI LIGHT (NAP) (best price 2-1) ran out a game winner at Uttoxeter last week and a repeat performance should be good enough to see him follow up under a mandatory penalty. Dai Rees’ inmate was always going to be a tricky one to assess for the handicapper having previously landed a couple of point-to-points, and so it proved as the eight-year-old dispensed of a useful field in the style of a well-treated horse. Picking up the running going well down the back straight, the son of Crossharbour set sail for home and despite getting the third last all wrong, he still had enough in the tank to see off Midnight Maestro in the latter stages. Looking at the numbers he posted at the Midland track, it was interesting to note that he ran the final circuit 5.6 seconds quicker than the 127-rated Angel Of harlem, who took the scalp of the smart Go Another One on the same card, so using those findings as a guide, even a 7lb rise to today’s mark of 97 shouldn’t be enough to stop him going in again over a trip that will suit.

A wide-open looking affair with plenty of permutations, but providing ASHQAR (best price 9-1) can run anywhere near the level he has done on his two previous visits to today’s venue, then he surely must have some sort of chance of being competitive. Third in a well-run handicap to Party Playboy at Down Royal back in June, Gavin Lynch’s pitched up at Ballybrit for the first time in a quality novice hurdle that contained the likes of previous winners Morosini, Authorised Art and Rasiym and despite having to run against horses rated in the mid 120’s he covered himself with glory by only getting beat two lengths. A solid fourth in a competitive handicap on his return visit five days later, the son of Redoute’s Choice once again showed his liking for the unique contours of the track and although he was never dangerous in the Grade B Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel last week, he ran well enough for a horse 16lb out of the handicap. Back off his correct mark and up against more realistic opposition compared to his rating, the four-year-old rates a strong each-way choice at the morning odds.